Aug 05, 2015 this enormous temple complex in madurai is dedicated to lord shiva, known here as sundareshvara, and his consort parvati or meenakshi. The temple structure with its concentric squares and high walled enclosures is a lesson for students of architecture. The madurai meenakshi amman temple is now under the administration of the hr and ce department of tamil nadu. A master piece of construction, it is believed that lord siva himself descended upon this holy place to seek the hand of goddess meenakshi, a place where the celestial wedding took place, a place where dravidian culture and hindu tradition. The original temple was built by kulasekara pandya, but the entire credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the nayaks. The temple complex at madurai, tamil nadu in india is dedicated to meenakshi as the primary deity. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500yearold city of madurai. Dresses like shorts and sleeveless garments for both men and women are not suitable. Dean of grh dr d maruthupandian and joint commissioner of meenakshi amman temple were also present. It was a key commercial center for the pandya dynasty that ruled the place. The temple also portrays the cordial relationship between shaivism, vaishnavism and shaktism.
It is dedicated to parvati who is known as meenakshi and her consort, shiva, named here as sundareswarar. Meenakshi amman temple is a historic hindu temple located in the southern bank of river vaigai in the temple city of madurai, tamil nadu, india. Roads connecting meenakshi amman temple andvaigai river. Plan depicting the entire premises of sree meenakshi amman temple study of city evolution madurai 5 the city remained under control of the cholas until the early th century, when the second pandyan empire was established with madurai as its capital. Meenakshi amman temple, madurai if tamil nadu is the seat of south indian temple architecture, the madurai meenakshi amman temple is its crowning glory. Madurai being situated on the banks of river vaigai, the city has its history connected with the river. Brief history of madurai madurai, one of the oldest cities in southern india, is regarded as the cultural centre of tamil nadu. Madurai meenakshi temple is one of the epitomes of the dravidian style of architecture. Thirugnanasambandar, the famous hindu saint mentions this temple.
The temple is the first among the six abodes of murugan and is one of the most visited tourist spots in madurai, next only to the meenakshi amman temple. Aug 02, 2017 thousands of colorful stone statues blanket the facade of meenakshi amman temple, one of the few religious monuments in india devoted to a female deity. Meenakshi amman temple, ayiram kal mandabam hall of thousand pillars are some of the important tourist places in madurai. About the book nominated for one of the wonders of the world, this temple of meenakshi amman in madurai stands apart in terms of exuberance and excellence. Meenakshi amman temple madurai history, architecture.
The eastern entrance to shrine houses a th century gopuram. Kazimar big mosque is the oldest islamic place of worship in the city. The temple is surrounded by 10 tall gopurams towers, the tallest of which rises to nearly 52 meter above the ground. On behalf of the board and advisory council of sri meenakshi temple, i wish you and your family, happy holidays and a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year in 2015. The lord has been described as alavai iraivan in his songs. Photo by prabhu b doss major tourist attractions the meenakshi amman temple has four gates in four directions and its compound stretches over an area of 45 acres.
Famous temples in india and their state wise location. Read more about book on meenakshi amman temple released on business standard. As early as the 3rd century bc, megasthenes visited, the city being referred to as methora. Meenakshi temple also referred to as meenakshi amman or meenakshi sundareshwara temple, is a historic hindu temple located on the southern bank of the vaigai river in the temple city of madurai, tamil nadu, india. This ancient city is built around the meenakshi temple which has been the geographical and ritualistic centre of the region since the times of the pandyans. Book on meenakshi amman temple released arts culture and. Meenakshi amman temple madurai history, architecture, timings. Meenakshi s shrine is next to that of her consort sundareswar, a form of shiva. The temple towns fame rests almost entirely on the meenakshi amman temple. It is dedicated to goddess meenakshi, and sundareswarar. Built sometime between the year 1623 and 1655, the wonderful architecture of the place is renowned globally. Meenakshi amman temple is a historic tamil hindu temple located on the southern bank of the vaigai river in the temple city, madurai, tamil nadu, india. Madurai meenakshi amman temple is a ancient historic hindu temple on the southern bank of the vaigai river in the temple city of madurai, tamil nadu, india. History madurai has a long and well recorded history.
The city of madurai has been constructed in the form of a lotus and is built around the temple. It has long been the focus of both indian and international tourist attraction as well as one of the most important places of hindu pilgrimage. Meenakshi sundareswarar temple, tiruaalavaai12 and meenakshi amman kovil is a historic hindu temple located on the southern bank of the vaigai river3. The historic meenakshi amman temple is located on the southern bank of the vaigai river, madurai, tamil nadu. Meenakshi temple is situated in the heart of the city of madurai. Dec 27, 2015 meenakshi amman temple history the history of madurai dates back thousands of years almost to 6th century b. The meenakshi temple is the physical center of the city of madurai as well as its economic, mythical, and spiritual heart. The great temple of madurai meenakshi exotic india. The book titled the great temple of madurai, released by the shrine, would. The pandya dynasty, with madurai as its capital, was known to the ancient greeks. Ancient records show that the madurai meenakshi temple was the center of the city from which the streets arose and spread in all directions. In the shrine of kamakshi amman close to the sanctum, the tirukalavanur divya desam, the temples dedicated to lord vishnu glorified by the 7th10th century alwars tamil saint poets is present. The king thirumalai naicker played an important role in the construction of the new form of the temple according to records.
Famous temples in india pdf download for competitive. Full list in pdf file, useful for upsc, ssc, ibps and other comeptitive exams. Study of city evolution madurai 4 history madurai has a long and well recorded history. Madurai temple underground mystery of madurai temple. The historic madurai meenakshi amman temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of madurai. Madurai meenakshi temples history is as old as the history of the city itself. The sundareswarar shrine is known as one fifth of pancha sabhai. While the summer months in madurai are hot and humid, the monsoons are pleasant which make july and august a good time for planning your trip. Madurai has been described as the seat of the pandyan dynasty.
The mother of madurai meenakshi amman temple priest, who was in her early seventies, died of covid19 on friday morning. Including its history, the meenakshi amman temple, the alagar kovil, the thirumalai nayakkar mahal, and more book online at best prices in india on. Meenakshi amman temple history tamil madan gowri mg. The meenakshi amman temple is open throughout the year, but it is best to witness its beauty when both the weather and occasion are absolutely ideal for having an impeccable experience. Meenakshi amman temple madurai, india atlas obscura. A book on the history of the famous meenakshi amman temple here was released on the occasion of the new year. Brief history of madurai fortune pandiyan hotel madurai. Meenakshi amman temple temple in india thousand wonders. Though most of the present structure was built between 1623. Interesting facts about meenakshi amman temple just fun. A religious and mythological symbol dating back 2,500 years, the temples 14 towers are each covered. Madurai meenakshi sundareswarar temple architecture. Studyofcityevolution madurai asia scribd read books. Madurai meenakshi amman temple simple english wikipedia.
The book titled the great temple of madurai, released by the shrine, would contain rare details about the temple, considered. The meenakshi temple is dedicated to goddess meenakshi, the consort of lord siva. I am happy to report to you that we had an amazing year in 2014 at our temple. It is famous for its world acclaimed meenakshi sundareswarar temple. Meenakshi jain is an associate professor of history at gargi college, university of delhi. Its importance radiates outward from the central shines through madurai to the entire tamilspeaking region in south india, and beyond. Madurai meenakshi amman temple is a ancient historic hindu temple on the southern bank of the vaigai river in the temple city of madurai, tamil nadu. Tour packages available for most of the destinations in and around. Pandyan dynasty the pandyan or pandiyan or pandian dynasty was an ancient tamil dynasty, one of the three tamil dynasties, the other two being the chola a. Meenakshi jain author of the battle for rama case of. It is dedicated to meenakshi, a form of parvati, and her consort, sundareshwar, a form of shiva.
Madurai meenakshi amman and sundareswarar history stotrams for meenakshi amman and sundareswar meenakshi amman temple details and other general informations. On friday night, a major fire broke out in the famed meenakshi amman temple in madurai, tamil nadu, destroying 36 shops located in the 400yearold veera vasantharayar mandapam, a hall in the. A touch screen system providing all information on the meenakshi temple such as its history, significance, festivals and important events would be installed. Madurai meenakshi amman temple history in tamil pdf 21. Within the sundareswarar temple complex is a shrine to nataraja the rajata sabha or the velliambalam.
Read, highlight, and take notes, across web, tablet, and phone. These rocks are mostly plain, devoid of any carvings. Tiruvilaiyadal puranam contains a version of the story of the goddess meenakshi. Stay up to date on all the latest tamil nadu news with the new indian express app. The most important temple dedicated to this goddess is the meenakshi amman temple in. Meenakshi is a goddess in the hindu pantheon who is worshipped mainly in the southern part of india. History the book your tickets online for sri meenakshi temple, madurai. Unique towers, migrants from a lost continent, and sacred marriage celebrations legends say meenakshi amman temple was created by migrants from a lost continent. Book on meenakshi amman temple released business standard news. Meenakshi temple is primarily dedicated to parvati, known as meenakshi, and her spouse, shiva. Meenakshi amman temple, madurai photos, history, timing. The history of meenakshi temple dates back to the 1st century c. Arulmigu meenakshi sundareshwarar thirukkovil worship hours 5. Meenakshi sundareswarar temple or meenakshi amman temple or tirualavai is a historic hindu temple located in the south side of river vaigai in the temple city of madurai.
Madurai meenakshi temple guide timings,significance and. The floor of the entire temple is covered by neatly cut rectangular rocks. Media in category gopurams of the madurai meenakshi temple the following 200 files are in this category, out of 270 total. Meenakshi temple meenakshi amman temple, madurai images. The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the hindu kings came back to power in madurai. This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt. Pandyan dynasty the pandyan or pandiyan or pandian dynasty was an ancient tamil dynasty, one of the three tamil dynasties, the other two being the chola and the chera. This goddess is believed to be an avatar of the goddess parvati, the wife of shiva. Please wear appropriate clothing, which covers shoulders and knees. The nattukkottai nagarathar sangam has come forward to install a door made out of pure silver for the palli arai of mother meenakshi. Madurai is always considered to be a good pilgrim center. Madurai is one of the ancient cities of south india with a glorious history. E with scholars claiming it to be as old as the city itself. Temple fire fire in madurais meenakshi temple sparks demand for shops to be evicted from complex a short circuit in one of the shops is suspected to have caused the fire.
A religious and mythological symbol dating back 2,500 years, the temple s 14 towers are each covered. Madurai meenakshi temple is considered as the city center of the 2500yearold ancient city. It is dedicated to parvati, known as meenakshi, and her consort, shiva, here named sundareswarar. The meenakshi temple complex is one of the largest of its kind in india and undoubtedly one of the oldest. We had record attendance in every one of the major functions and had highest. The temple is in the center of 2,500yearold city of madurai and is a significant symbol for the tamil people. Meenakshi temple bags cleanliness award the new indian. It is also referred to as meenakshi amman or minakshisundareshwara temple. Meenakshi temple madurai india, ancient hindu architecture. A few religious texts that belong to the 1st to 4th century c. Meenakshi sundareswarar temple renovation committee 81. With its imposing gopurams and intricately carved pillars, various mandapams and numerous figurines, the famous temple. Media in category paintings in the madurai meenakshi temple the following 27 files are in this category, out of 27 total. Book on meenakshi amman temple released arts culture.
The meenakshi temple is believed to be founded by indra king of devas while he was. Perhaps that is just a story, but the unique and monumental towers with their brightlycolored sculptures of. Documents on a forgotten chapter of indian history. The meenakshi amman temple is the heart of the ancient city of madurai in tamil nadu, india. The roads connect the new developing city with the historic core area. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500yearold city of madurai. The temple faced west went to ruins and the deity is now placed inside the kamakshi amman temple.
One of the best budget hotel in madurai near sri meenakshi amman temple. It is said that kulashekarar pandyan, a king who ruled over the pandyan dynasty, built the temple as per the instructions given in his dream by lord shiva. Madurai meenakshi temple guide timings,significance and history. It is dedicated to meenakshi, a form of parvati, and her consort, sundareshwar, a.
It is dedicated to goddess meenakshi, and sundareswarar history. The temple has a wide range of hindu gods carved on the walls. Meenakshi amman temple sculpture religion and belief. The temple has its rituals connected with the river and the mandapam. Ceiling painting, meenakshi temple, madurai 1 37469398606. A pandya king, after performing a great yagna to secure an. It was considered by foreigners as athens of the south. A book on the history of the famous meenakshi amman temple here was released on the occasion of the new year today. This temple is covered in thousands of colorful statues travel. The temple is square shaped and a series of concentric streets with names from tamil months surround the structure.